Saffron O’Sullivan
Policy Executive, IDA Ireland
Undergraduates now have a range of options open to them, from pursuing a master’s to applying for a graduate programme or diving straight into a particular industry.
Some of the best career advice I’ve received has been to follow my passions, continue to learn and remain curious. This three-part maxim has guided me throughout my early career. Upon graduating, I followed my passion by embarking on a career in publishing. However, after two years, I felt the need to change direction, so in 2021, I applied and was accepted to the IDA graduate programme.
Rotational graduate programme impact
IDA Ireland is the inward investment promotion agency, responsible for job creation and economic development in Ireland. The graduate programme spans three years, with four nine-month rotations. During this time, graduates have the opportunity to work in one of eight regional offices, an overseas office, a support team and an operations team.
I began in the talent, transformation and innovation (TTI) team, supporting clients in future-proofing their operations in Ireland. After TTI, I worked in our HR&OD department where I contributed to various training and recruitment projects, including the recruitment of the 2022 intake of graduates — a real full circle moment. From there, I travelled to New York and had the opportunity to work on winning investments for Ireland. For my final rotation, I returned to Ireland to work in my home region, the Midlands.
There is a fantastic mission
in what the agency does.
Mission-driven career journey
There is a fantastic mission in what the agency does, and this was something I felt keenly in my Midlands role. Seeing investments won abroad translated into business in Ireland and employment for the community are things I never imagined when setting out in my career.
In 2024, I graduated again, this time from the IDA programme. I applied for a position in the policy department, and I now support colleagues in their engagements around energy and digital policy. IDA have been extremely supportive in this transition, and I have continued to learn and upskill through professional certificates in Digital Policy and Energy Economics.
I feel grateful to work for an organisation with a purposeful mission and to progress my career while doing so. If there is any advice I would give to graduates today, it is to follow your passion and always be curious to learn and grow. It’s not always possible to know exactly where you’ll end up, but if you follow your interests, you’ll enjoy the journey.
